QPI making big contribution to project

Thursday

Oct 4, 2012 at 12:00 AMOct 8, 2012 at 11:41 AM

The recent anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 offered Americans an opportunity to reflect on the fact that the new World Trade Center complex being built in Lower Manhattan will soon stand as a symbol of resilience and strength near Ground Zero.

By Tom Flannery

— The recent anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001 offered Americans an opportunity to reflect on the fact that the new World Trade Center complex being built in Lower Manhattan will soon stand as a symbol of resilience and strength near Ground Zero.

And Carbondale will be making a significant contribution to the construction of the lead building, One World Trade Center, known more simply as 1 WTC and dubbed the "Freedom Tower."

That's because Quality Perforating Inc. has been awarded a substantial contract for perforated material which will have a huge impact on the overall project, both in terms of decorative use as well as for the facade of the building.

Mike Gilboy, vice president of QPI, told the NEWS that the firm is providing 175,000 square feet of perforated aluminum with a specialized finish for the structure, which will rise over 100 stories.

"The 20-story base of the tower is wrapped and perforated, and has LED lighting," he explained in outlining how and where QPI's work will be used on the project, "but it also serves a functional purpose in that it provides cooling for the mechanical systems and equipment."

He noted that QPI had already worked on different ancillary aspects related to the project, like ceilings, walls and elevator cab work, prior to being awarded this particular contract.

"There are a number of different areas where we have been supplying to the project, but this is certainly the most prestigious," he offered.

Gilboy said QPI's involvement with the tower began last year.

"We started working with a design consultant in 2011, making some samples for the project when it was in the early stages," he recounted. "Through that, we were able to get to bid on the project in late 2011, and we were awarded the contract in January [of this year]."

Since then, he noted that QPI has been working on producing and delivering the materials — which he said will be installed during the first half of 2013. The tower is scheduled to open in 2014.

"We should have all of our work completed by the end of this year," Gilboy estimated.

"We're very excited to have our footprint on one of the most prestigious portions of the overall World Trade Center project," he related. "It's a tremendous opportunity for us."